Dhaulagiri (8167m) is the sixth highest mountain in the world. This extraordinary route was first discovered by the 1950 French expedition that climbed Annapurna I, and provides stunning views of the whole Dhaulagiri range. It is particularly attractive to people drawn to high mountains and wilderness, and requires an excellent physical condition and basic mountaineering skills.This rarely frequented itinerary starts in Pokhara and leads, through rice-terraces, up to Beni and farther up through picturesque villages of Tibetan culture along the Myagdi Khola, to the very heart of the Dhaulaghiri massif. After the base camp (4750 m), dominated by the Dhaulaghiri I (8091 m) gigantic mass to the south and the Dhaulaghiri II (7751 m), III (7715 ms), IV (7661 m) and V (7618 m) to the west, the trail crosses the French Pass (5400 m) and the Thapa Pass (5230 m). We will then reach the Kali Gandaki river and head for Pokhara or Jomosom, on the famous Annapurna Circuit itinerary.

Itinerary:

Days 1: Arrival Kathmandu, transfer to hotel

Days 2: Sight-seeing of Kathmandu: Leave for full day sightseeing in Kathmandu valley includes the Hindu temple complex at Pashupatinath (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) & the biggest Buddhist Stupa at Boudhanath. Also visit Monkey Temple the Swyambhunath (2000 years old temple) and visit Patan city of fine arts. Back to hotel and stay

Days 3: Drive Ktm - Pokhara- Beni

Days 4: Beni-Babichaur: After leaving the Kali Gandaki river you enter in the Myagdi Khola valley.

Days 5: Babichaur-Dharapani: Tonight you will camp in Dharapani and the Dhaulagiri is no more so far.

Days 6: Dharapani-Muri :

The path goes steep up to Muri , where the Mt. Dhaulagiri and other mountains appear clearly.

Days 7: Muri-Boghara : From Muri the trail is easy and goes down for few hours but before to reach Boghara you have to climb a steep path for a couple of hours.

Days 8: Boghara-Dovan : Today the path is quite difficult and sometime you will need the help of the ropes. Watch your step.

Days 11: Upper Vugini (Italian Base Camp) - Glacier Camp: After crossing the first glacier, probable using a rope in a couple of tricky spots, we climb on to the main glacier. The surrounding is spectacular, which makes up for the rough and dangerous trail. We may also use a rope on this section. This is a particularly tough day. We camp on the glacier rubble.

Days 12: Glacier Camp - Dhaulagiri Base Camp I : Soon the rough rubble gives way to the smooth ice of the white part of the glacier.We climb steady to the rough and chilling but spectacular Dhaulagiri Base Camp.

Days 13: Dhaulagiri Base Camp - French Col - Hidden Valley : Getting off the glacier above the base camp often requires a rope, but once over the steep moraine walls we are in safer and more gentle country. After a breathless climb to the top of French Col (5300m,) the views of Hidden Valley open out. The broad valley is reminiscent of Tibet and Ladakh and so are the temperatures, at least -20ºC at night.

Days 14: Hidden Valley camp 5000m: A rest day to admire the surrounding peaks and perhaps do some exploring.

Days 15: Hidden Valley - Yak Kharka : After climbing over the 5200m Dhampus Pass, we traverse avalanche-prone slopes and then descend steeply to Yak Kharka.

Days 16: Yak Kharka – Marpha : From Yak Kharka we descend along the flank of the mountain to once again reach civilization. We return to the tree-line, terraced potato and buckwheat fields, and farmhouses. Marpha is famous for its apple orchards and is home to two lovely Tibetan Monasteries

Days 17: Marpha - Ghasa : nice village with greenery and openspace

Days 18: Ghasa – Tatopani ; Working through subtropical vegetation and the return of water buffalo, banyan trees and poinsettias,. The trail follows the river through a world deepest George and have a very nice view one of the longest waterfall. Stay at Tatopani and visit natural hot spring

Days 19: Tatopani – Ghorepani: Trek Ghorepani-poonhill to Hile : Early morning climb up to Poonhil One of the best Himalayan view points in Nepal Early morning working to the Poonhil, which provides a unobstructed view of the high Himalayas. work down to Hile, camp

Days 20: Hile-Pokhara: Trek to Birethanti via Nayapul walk through the lust, green Modiriver valley. Past waterfalls with plunge pools that invite you to swim. stay at Pokhara, hotel